Pours dark like molasses with a coffee colored head that hangs around for the duration.

Smells of coffee, chocolate, molasses, and malt.

Big malt bomb with a bitter coffee/chocolate punch. Not overly sweet at all. The slight sweet caramel notes are well balanced by rich bitter notes of chocolate, coffee, and molasses. This is one big decadent brew, and my tatse buds are dancing.

Pours a dark black-brown with only the slightest red hue when held up to the light. Thick bubbly brown head with good retention.

Dark chocolate, coffee, nutty, and roasted caramel/toffee aroma..

Somewhat mellow and understated for the style, but still a full-flavored brew. The citrus hops are the first thing I notice, along with the full and complex malts. Bitter chocolate and coffee with healthy, but not overpowering alcohol flavors.

Creamy but somewhat syrupy full-bodied mouthfeel. This is probably the most drinkable RIS I've tasted too, since the flavors are so subdued and there is almost no bitter aftertaste.

Was excited to see this on tap at The Brew Kettle in Strongsville, Ohio outside of Cleveland. Had a pint poured off a nitro tap.

Appearance: Darkest chocolate brown with a milky, froth head and good milk-chocolate colored lacing - like on hot chocolate.

Smell: Creamy coffee with hints of chocolate.

Taste/Mouthfeel: The taste is very chocolately and warming, with a hit of cream and bitter coffee beans. The alcohol is very present with a heavy finish in the aftertaste and back of the throat. A little overwhelming. Light carbonation keeps it from being too strong and adds to the clear mouthfeel.

Drinkability: This is big and heavy like a RIS should be. Don't drink a lot - just enjoy.

A: Pours dark brown, but is completely black once it's in the glass. A creamy tan head that is mostly diminishing, virtually no lacing, but seems to be typical in RIS. Overall good appearance.

S: You can definately smell the alcohol in this beer. It's hidden with strong coffee and roasted malt aroma and almost a sweetness.

T: The initial taste is creamy in the front of the palate with hints of dark chocolate. The flavor then turns to mocha and finishes with a bitter coffee and herbal taste. The aftertaste is surprisingly smooth and long lasting. Expected the beer to have more of a burn because of the smell, but is slightly there and is overwhelmed with the other flavors.

M: Full-bodied, creamy and smooth, and medium carbonation.

D: Definately enjoyed, but couldn't drink more then 1 at a time. Would love to drink this with ribs or a steak for sure! Not good in the hot summer heat.

My motto is the darker the better, and this time I have met my match. I have heard about Ol' Rasputin and as soon as I stumbled across this fine brew I purchased a couple. Drawn to the great name and label I was intrigued in the high alcohol content. Pours easily with a thin head. This beer is very aromatic and has a thick consistency. The flavor is wonderfully complex to say the least. I was very surprised to discover that the overall flavor hides the strong alcohol content really well. To date this is the best stout I have ever enjoyed. I Will definately keep a few of these in stock for my personal enjoyment. \Additional rating on 12-10-07 of (2) cellared bottles, exact age is uncertain. Opaque, rich brown pour with a 1" thick lasting dark tan head and amazing lacing. Aromas of dark bitter chocolate, chilled coffee, and sharp hops. Alcohol is detectable to the nose. This beer is very full bodied and bitter-sweet. Thick and creamy with a light alcohol burn and smooth finish. Rich flavors of coffee, fudge, burnt and nutty malts. Large chocolate presence and a firm bitterness, the hop flavor really breaks through once the beer warms up some. One of the the first imperial stouts I sampled, and after a couple years it still remains high on the list.